GS Paper - 1
Why in the news?
- IIT Kharagpur conducted a study in Vadnagar, the Prime Minister's hometown.
- They found proof that people there kept their culture even after the Harappan collapse.
- This suggests that the "Dark Age" idea might not be true.
Key findings of the study
- Ancient Settlement Discovery:
- The study found an old human settlement dating back to 800 BCE, possibly existing at the same time as late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics.
- Impact of Climate Change:
- Changes in climate, like rainfall and droughts, played a significant role in the rise and fall of kingdoms over 3,000 years.
- Central Asian warriors' recurrent invasions were also influenced by these climate shifts.
- Cultural Diversity in Vadnagar:
- Vadnagar was a multicultural and multireligious settlement.
- It was influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islamic cultures.
- The discovery of one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries highlighted the diverse cultural influences.
- Archaeological Artifacts:
- Various artifacts were unearthed, including typical archaeological items, pottery, and objects made of copper, gold, silver, and iron.
- Additionally, intricately designed bangles and coin molds associated with the Greek king Appollodatus were found.
- Ruling Groups Over Time:
- Radiocarbon dating identified seven cultural stages and their respective rulers over time:
- Mauryan period
- Indo-Greek era
- Indo-Scythian or Shaka-Kshatrapas (known as ‘Satraps’)
- Hindu-Solankis
- Sultanate-Mughal (Islamic rule)
- Gaekwad-British colonial period up to the present.
Study conductors and funding
Study Conductors:
- The digging and research were done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with help from a group of scientists.
- The team included researchers from
- IIT Kharagpur,
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Deccan College.
Funding Information:
- The funding for the study came from the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, which is part of the Government of Gujarat.
- The same Directorate is in charge of creating India's first interactive digital museum in Vadnagar.
- Sudha Murthy, the former leader of Infosys Foundation, also helped with the funding.
Significance of the study
- Filling Historical Gaps:
- There is very little knowledge about the time between 1,500 BC and 500 BC.
- The Vadnagar discovery can help us understand this time better, showing a culture that lasted for over 5,500 years.
- Challenging the Dark Age Idea:
- Some archaeologists talk about a "Dark Age" between the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization 4,000 years ago and the rise of Iron Age cities like Gandhar and Koshal around 6th-5th century BCE.
- The study suggests that this "Dark Age" might not be true, as there seems to be a continuous culture.
- Oldest Living City Discovery:
- Evidence indicates that Vadnagar is the oldest city found within one fortification in India.
- Some think Vadnagar could be as old as 1400 BC, which is late in the post-urban Harappan period.
- There's no sign of an advanced city-like place before 500 BC.
- Rarity of Archaeological Records:
- There are not many old records, with the earliest one being Emperor Ashoka's rock inscription at Sudarsana Lake, Girnar Hill, Gujarat.
